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ENGAGE
EDUCATE
EMPOWER
ENLIGHTEN
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Girija Karekal

Founder and
Executive Director

Mrs. Girija Karekal

Mrs. Girija Karekal is a dedicated community leader and an accomplished Enterprise Architect. Originally from Bangalore, India, and now a long-time resident of Brisbane, Australia, Girija’s life reflects a commitment to service, learning, and cultural integrity. Her journey began with family traditions of community service and education, organising science events in India, and inspiring young minds as a teacher, instilling values that shape future leaders.
Since 2005, Girija has been a guiding force in the Basava Samiti of Australasia Inc, Brisbane Branch. She served as Joint Secretary during the 7th International Sharana Samskruti Sammelana (2016) and as President in 2020-21. As the founder of Basava Samiti of Asia Pacific Ltd, her initiatives have empowered diverse communities across the Asia Pacific and brought the charity’s mission to life: Engage, Educate, Empower, and Enlighten.
Professionally, Girija has followed her childhood passion for aviation and astronomy to her current role as the National Airways System Architect at Airservices Australia. She is a qualified TOGAF Architect, a Telecommunications Engineer and holds an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management. She has been volunteering as a yoga instructor in Brisbane for over ten years.
Dr Manjunath

Founding Member

Dr. Manjunath Rajashekhar

Dr. Manjunath Rajashekhar, has been the chief editor of the SharaNa Spandhana newsletter for over a decade connecting and informing the Basava Samiti of Australasian community. He has also undertaken several community services in the key sectors of health and wellbeing.
He is originally from Tumkur, India and is a long-time resident of Cairns, Australia. In 2008, he served the community as the Joint Secretary for the 3rd International Sharana Samskruti Sammelana. Educated at the University of Sydney, Dr. Rajashekhar is a General Dentist specialising in minimal intervention and preventive dentistry.
He currently serves as a Senior Lecturer and Director at James Cook University. Previously, he worked collaboratively with other specialty health providers to meet the oral health needs of the Indigenous population. Highly respected in his field, he has been recognised by the leading dental authority in Australia for his contributions.
Ravi Gudi

Director

Ravi Gudi

Ravi Gudi is a capable leader with a wealth of experience and a commitment to ethics, engagement, and excellence. With over 12 years in the commercial and finance sectors, Ravi brings extensive expertise in accounting, financial analysis, and governance management. His strategic insight has been instrumental in enhancing operational efficiencies and fostering collaboration, as demonstrated in his previous roles with companies like Cleanaway and RS Group. Ravi’s dedication to continuous improvement has not only driven significant financial gains but also built lifelong connections with colleagues and stakeholders alike.
As the CFO and a Board Director for BSAPAC, Ravi is committed to transforming the charity’s financial processes. His initiatives in automation have greatly reduced manual handling within the financial sector, enhancing the charity’s operational efficiency. Ravi’s unique blend of professional acumen and genuine kindness makes him a valuable asset to our mission of engaging, educating, empowering, and enlightening the communities we serve. His strategic leadership ensures transparency and trust, fostering a robust financial foundation that supports our long-term goals.
Akhilesh Axl

Director

Akhilesh (Axl) Nadgauda

Akhilesh Nadgauda, also known as Axl, is a visionary leader with over 15 years of global experience in business transformation and strategic execution. Representing Basava Samiti APAC’s Melbourne region, Axl combines a depth of technical expertise with a commitment to community impact. He has spearheaded major transformation programs in diverse sectors, from water and energy to property development and food manufacturing. As Director of BSAPAC, he brings a strategic approach to the charity’s community outreach, focusing on initiatives that empower individuals and support long-term community-driven outcomes.
In addition to his role at Basava Samiti, Axl leads the Business Transformation & Strategy Execution team at KBR, Inc., where he drives digital transformation, sustainability, and employee experience strategies. His leadership has spanned across Australia, Asia, and the USA, and his projects reflect a balance of profitability and purpose. As an entrepreneur, he has co-founded successful businesses, including a $20 million property development firm and a food manufacturing brand with a national presence. Axl’s expertise in innovation and execution, along with his passion for positive change, makes him a pivotal figure in advancing BSAPAC’s mission across the Asia-Pacific region.
Steve Hodgson

Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Steve Hodgson

As CEO of BSAPAC, Steve Hodgson embodies the principle of Daya (compassion), which he believes lies at the heart of meaningful change. For Steve, compassion is more than just a value; it’s a powerful force shaping the organisation’s mission of inclusivity, kindness, and selfless community service. BSAPAC works tirelessly to foster belonging across cultural backgrounds, empowering individuals through outreach, education, and advocacy.
With over a decade of legal expertise, Steve also serves as Senior. His experience spans estate planning, employment law, and corporate governance, as well as diverse fields like commercial law, property, and contract law. Steve’s commitment to social justice is evident in both his professional and volunteer work, including Associate at Salerno Law, leading their Estates and Industrial Relations departments NGO service in Italy, South Africa, and teaching English to orphans in Cusco, Peru.
Currently residing on the Gold Coast, Steve’s career reflects a lifelong dedication to community empowerment and collaboration, both locally and globally. At Basava Samiti APAC, he translates Guru Basava’s vision into practical, compassionate solutions to make a lasting impact.
Amanda Savita Alexander

Chief Risk Officer

Mrs. Amanda Savita Alexander

Amanda Savita Alexander is the Chief Risk Officer at Basava Samiti of Asia Pacific Ltd (BSAPAC), bringing extensive international expertise, analytical skills and academic depth to her role.
Originally from Flint, Michigan and currently based in Canberra, she holds a Master of Science in Global Crime, Justice, and Security from The University of Edinburgh and a Certificate in International Labour Migration from The University of Oxford.
Amanda specialises in organisational strategy, law, and cybersecurity. Her global perspective is further enhanced by her expertise as a professional reader focused on East Asian affairs, complemented by her proficiency in Mandarin and Japanese. She has extensive writing experience as a published visual novel author, book reviewer, and academic writing tutor.
Having lived and worked in Australia, The United Kingdom, Singapore and China, Amanda is adept at integrating diverse cultural and regional insights into her risk management strategies, making her a key asset to BSAPAC’s mission. Amanda’s work aligns with the principle of integrity, promoting transparency and honesty in the Charity’s practices and encouraging accountability and ethical behaviour at all levels.

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